William hover



W. HOVERQ CARPET STRETGHER.

No. 520,736. Patented May 29, 1894..

(No Model.)

William Ever. 5 mmrox NITZED STATES WILLIAM HOVER, OF

FREEPORT, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ELIZABETH HOVER, OF SAME PLACE.

CARPET-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 520,736, dated May 29, 1894.

Application filed August 10, 1 8 9 3.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM HovER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Freeport, 1n the county of Stephenson and State of Illinow, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oarpet-Stretchers, of which the following is so full, clear, and exact a description as will enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of my improved carpet stretcher. Fig. 2 is a section of the same.

The object of my invention is to provide a stretcher by the use of which the carpet may be stretched with the greatest facility at the least expense both as regards the purchase of the carpet stretcher and the expense incidental to the carpet being distorted by being stretched.

Another object of my invention is to provlde a carpet stretcher by the use of which a carpet may be stretched in the shortest possible time with the least expense of both physical and mechanical force.

Another object'of my invention is to provlde a carpet stretcher which may be operated by any child without any previous instruction.

Another object of my invention is to provlde a carpet stretcher which will not only stretch the carpet, but which will also hold t In position to be nailed down to the floor 1n such a manner that the carpet may be stretched and laid accurately by one person.

In the accompanying drawings, A designates the block, which may be made of wood or any other suitable material. To the front of this block extending lengthwise of the block on the bottom edge is secured a notched plate provided with a series of teeth 1), extendlng approximately parallel with the vertical face of the front of the block. At the rear lower edge of the block is secured a second plate which is slightly inclined in such a manner that the teeth It extend at an angle of about forty-five degrees to the plane of the bottom of the block and the plate is secured to the block by bolts or screws or in any other suitable manner. Extending up Serial No.4=82,832. (No model.)

over the block about centrally is a U-shaped saddle, the closed end of which is at the top and extends across above the top of the block. This saddle is provided with a perforation B in one portion of which is a recess ,0. The opposite vertical side of this saddle is provided with an opening through which is adapted to extend a rod D which is screwthreaded at its rear end, and which is provided at its forward end with a downwardly extended claw or hook E which is tapered at e in such a manner that it forms a sharpened point and at the same time leaving the hook or claw substantially vertical at the rear. On the top of the rod is an eccentric key or projection which is adapted to slide freely through the recess in the hole in the forward portion of the saddle in such a manner as to prevent the rod from turning. The screwthreaded portion'of the rod is provided with a nut F which is an elongated or projecting lever G and is provided with a handle or crank pin H. The entire structure is formed in one compact device making a'most simple and complete carpet stretcher.

The carpet to be stretched is .to be laid on the floor and the operation of the device is as follows: The vertical teeth at the front end of the block are to be pressed into the carpet to the rear of the line upon which it is desired to put the tacks and the rear slanting or oblique teeth R are to be pressed into the carpet right where they fall after the vertical teeth are located. The claw or hook is then pressed into the floor and the block held approximately in position and the handle turned, screwing up the nut until itpresses the block and teeth plates forward, taking the carpet with it a sufficient distance to properly stretch the carpet. The carpet is then nailed in position and the stretcher moved from place to place until the operation is complete.

From the foregoing it will be readily understood that the stretcher may beoperated by a mere child and the carpet stretched perfectly and fastened in place without the trouble and expense incidental to the laying of a carpet under ordinary circumstances.

By constructing my stretcher with one series of straight teeth and another series of teeth inclined at the angle to the vertical line of the block, I secure a firmer grip and the carpet is less liable to slip in being stretched.

Having described. the objects, uses, and advantages of my invention, what I believe to be new, and whatI desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. A carpet stretcher consisting of a block provided with a series of projecting teeth and a perforated saddle which embraces the block from opposite sides and extends above the block, in combination with a hook or claw, and a rod formed integral with said hook or claw, said rod provided with means for drawing it through the saddle and extending through the openings in the saddle above the block, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. A carpet stretcher consisting of a block provided with a series of vertical teeth in front and a second series of inclined teeth at the rear alongits base; in combination with a saddle extending over the top and down to the sides of the block and provided with openings through which extends a rod having a hook or claw and having screw threads and provided with a nut on the rod for operating the same, substantially as described.

3. A carpet stretcher consisting of a block provided with a series of vertical teeth in front and a second series of inclined teeth at the rear along its base; in combination with a saddle extending over the top and down to the sides of the block and provided with openings, one of which is provided with a recess through which extends a rod having a hook or claw and having screw threads and provided with a nut for operating the same and also provided with an eccentric key or projecting strip adapted to fit within the recess in one of the openings in the saddle, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I ai'lix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM novER.

Witnesses:

B. M. ETZLER, CHARLES T. GREEN. 

